Residential HVAC

Residential HVAC Terms

Residential HVAC Term Duct board used in residential construction is a foil backed dense fiberglass product. It is normally one inch thick. The duct board is cut and formed to create a chase for supply air or return air. As the duct is put together the joints are taped with a foil back tape in order to form an air tight duct. The duct board supply duct forms the main supply duct from which either flex or metal smaller supply ducts are attached.

Residential HVAC Term Combustion Air is the air used to ignite a gas furnace. As a safety factor, a gas furnace needs a separate source of air for combustion. The combustion air is provided by a metal duct that is installed in the furnace closet and extends through the ceiling into the attic to furnish outside air.

Residential HVAC Term Zoning refers to the process of dividing a house into zones for cooling and heating purposes. This type of system can use control dampers in the duct to control air flow to the individual zones. A thermostat is installed in each zone. When a zone requires air, the unit will come on and the damper will open for that zone. The excess air will be diverted back through the return air duct.

Residential HVAC Term Air Chase refers to the duct that is used to carry either supply air or return air to and from the air handler.This can be fiberglass duct board, insulated metal duct, or large flex duct.

Residential HVAC Term Air Flow expresses the amount air that flows through an air duct per minute. The air flow is measured and is expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM).

Residential HVAC Term Freon is a type of refrigerant used in air conditioning systems.

Residential HVAC Term BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. This is the amount of heat it takes to raise or lower one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

Residential HVAC Term Attic Ventilator refers to a power vent install on the roof or in the gable end of a house to remove hot air from the attic. These ventilators are thermostat controls and only run when the temperature exceeds the setting.

Mechanical Term Seer stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Most cities and counties now require a minimum of a 10 SEER rating. The higher the rating the more efficient the cooling unit will operate.